So I left my landlady a message, letting her know that my parents had asked me for help and that I had applied for an apartment. I said I was calling so that, should she begin receiving reference calls, she would not be caught off guard.

Her return voicemail indicated (as all communications from her do) that she had miscued. She said she wasn't sure if I intended my call to be a notification of intent to vacate, and then reminded me that I needed to give her 20 days' notice prior to the beginning of the next rental month.

Um, duh.

I think my deposit was $500. My rent is $950. Why don't I just leave before October first, and let her keep my deposit? I bet she would come after me, put me through a hassle with collections. I'm not sure if I can do that, but given the three winters without insulation in the floor, I think I might have a case.

I'll call the tenants' union.